12:16 PM, November 27, 2013

Michigan State basketball recruit Javon Bess / Courtesy of Gahanna Lincoln High School

Posted by James Jahnke

Detroit Free Press Sports Writer

When Michigan State signed three-star basketball recruit Javon Bess earlier this month, it was without much fanfare.

Bess was viewed as a Plan B (or even Plan C) recruit after several blue-chippers turned down coach Tom Izzo.

The 6-foot-5, 180-pounder from Gahanna (Ohio) Lincoln High School near Columbus only recently received a scholarship offer from MSU. He also had offers from Dayton, Kansas State, UMass, Saint Joseph’s, Texas Tech and Xavier, among others.

But could he wind up being a steal for the Spartans? That’s what coach Victor Dandridge believes.

In a 38-minute documentary about Bess, produced by We Are God’s Image, Dandridge says Bess is the best 2014 prospect in the state of Ohio and that Ohio State will regret not recruiting, much in the same way as former Michigan guard Trey Burke.

There are other cool parts of the documentary, which has significant religious overtones, including some behind-the-scenes video of Bess’ visit to East Lansing before he committed.